Build Your Own Course
Pick the skills you want to learn. We build the days around them, on your dates, with your group.
- Location
- Sea to Sky corridor
- Duration
- 1 day or more
- Difficulty
- Introductory / Intermediate / Expert
- Guest Ratio
- Up to 6:1 ski, 4:1 rock and alpine
From $200 per person per day
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Today in the Sea to Sky
Avalanche danger by elevation, from Avalanche Canada's daily forecast.
Full forecast- AlpineSee forecast
- TreelineSee forecast
- Below treelineSee forecast
Private skills courses, built around what you want to learn
Our courses follow a set plan, and most people are happy with that. Some want more time on one skill and none on another. Some have a trip coming up and need to be ready for that exact terrain.
Build Your Own Course is for them. You choose the skills from the menu below, tell us your dates and group size, and an Altus guide puts together a private course just for you. Every hour goes to what you came to learn.
How it works
- Pick your skills. Choose from the menu below. Mix disciplines if you like.
- Tell us about your group. Group size, experience level and the dates that work for you.
- We build the plan. Your guide picks the location and lays out the days, then sends you the plan and the price.
- Go learn. Private instruction with an IFMGA/ACMG guide, at your pace.
Skills menu
Pick as many as you want. Your guide will tell you how many fit into the days you have.
Avalanche and backcountry skiing
- Companion rescue: transceiver search, probing and strategic shovelling
- Trip planning with the avalanche forecast
- Terrain choice and route finding
- Snowpack observations and tests
- Uphill technique: track setting, kick turns, transitions
- Downhill technique in variable backcountry snow
Ski mountaineering
- Glacier travel on skis
- Crevasse rescue
- Boot packing, ski crampons and ice axe use
- Steep skiing technique
Mountaineering
- Glacier travel and roping up
- Crevasse rescue
- Crampon and ice axe technique, including self-arrest
- Snow anchors
- Scrambling
Rock climbing
- Movement and technique
- Sport leading
- Trad gear placement
- Anchor building
- Multi-pitch systems
- Rappelling
- Rock rescue and self-rescue
Don’t see what you’re after? Ask. If we teach it, we can build a course around it.
Pricing
Prices are per day, plus GST, and depend on what you’re learning and how many of you there are.
- Ski: priced per group. $850 a day for one guest, plus $50 for each extra guest, up to 6 per guide.
- Rock climbing: priced per person. $575 for one guest, $365 each for two, $250 each for three, $200 each for four.
- Alpine and mountaineering: priced per person. $875 for one guest, $500 each for two, $375 each for three, $305 each for four.
Bigger groups are welcome; get in touch and we’ll add a guide. See the full price list under Dates.
Want a specific guide? Request Ross Berg or Tucker Roderick for an extra $400 per day.
What does this course cover?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Part of the Introductory skill set.
Choose the skills you want to learn, how many days you want, and the dates that work for you.
We provide the rest:
- IFMGA/ACMG guides
- A plan built for your group
- Intimate local knowledge
Prerequisites
No prerequisites required
Is this course for me?
Anyone who wants private instruction focused on specific skills. It works for beginners who want one-on-one time, and for experienced people sharpening one area before a big trip.
Add Ons
- REQUEST YOUR GUIDE
- Ross Berg or Tucker Roderick, +$400 per day
Includes
- Private instruction from an IFMGA/ACMG guide
- A course plan built around your skills and dates
- AST certificate, if you book a private AST 1 or AST 2
Does Not Include
- Gear rentals
- Lift tickets
- Lunch
- Transportation
Price per day
- Ski: 1 guest$850 per group + GSTBook
- Ski: 2 guests$900 per group + GSTBook
- Ski: 3 guests$950 per group + GSTBook
- Ski: 4 guests$1,000 per group + GSTBook
- Ski: 5 guests$1,050 per group + GSTBook
- Ski: 6 guests$1,100 per group + GSTBook
- Rock: 1 guest$575 per person + GSTBook
- Rock: 2 guests$365 per person + GSTBook
- Rock: 3 guests$250 per person + GSTBook
- Rock: 4 guests$200 per person + GSTBook
- Alpine: 1 guest$875 per person + GSTBook
- Alpine: 2 guests$500 per person + GSTBook
- Alpine: 3 guests$375 per person + GSTBook
- Alpine: 4 guests$305 per person + GSTBook
Frequently Asked Questions
Send your course request
Pick your skills, dates and group size. We’ll reply with a plan and a price.
Do I get a certificate?
Your choice. Keep it skills-only, or book a private AST 1 or AST 2. We cover the full Avalanche Canada curriculum and you get the certificate.
How long is a course?
As long as you like, from one day up. Your guide will tell you what’s realistic for the skills you pick.
Where does it run?
Your guide picks the location to suit your skills and the conditions, usually in the Sea to Sky corridor.
What gear do I need?
It depends on the skills you choose. Your guide sends a gear list with your course plan.
How do I book?
Open “Send your course request” at the top of these FAQs, fill in your skills, dates and group size, and send it. We’ll reply with a plan and a price.
Booking Policy
Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! Booking, payment, cancellation and weather policies, as well as FAQ, may be found here.
Reviews
“We had a great day with Tim doing AST1. We learned a lot of avalanche rescue techniques, did a number of real world scenarios, and of course scored some freshies. Tim was a great instructor who was happy to answer all questions and give lots of tips and tricks! Highly recommend”
“Avalanche safety training is no joke and I’m glad to have found professional instructors with excellent customer service. I feel more prepared to venture into the backcountry thanks to Altus and Brian.”
